Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau lets a small smile lose as the Wolves force a turnover against the Charlotte Hornets the fourth quarter of a pre-season game at Target Center on Friday, Oct. 21, 2016. The Timberwolves beat Charlotte, 109-74. (Pioneer Press: John Autey)

Down as many as 18 points and playing lethargic basketball that was somewhat typical of the past few seasons, the Kings played inspired basketball in the second half when they outscored the Timberwolves 52-38 to win their second game of the season.

“It’s definitely a different attitude this year and a different locker room,” reserve guard Ben McLemore said. “We have older veterans on this team who have been to the playoffs. They have been in a position like we were in tonight. We hung in there and played well when it mattered most.”

One of those veterans is Matt Barnes, who played last season in Memphis under Dave Joerger, now the Kings coach. Barnes had 12 points and nine assists and played tough defense throughout the game.

Following a listless first half, the Kings gained control in the third, running off 17 straight points to take the lead. The suddenly cold Timberwolves shot 3 for 12 in the third when they were outscored 31-12 and trailed 85-77 heading into the fourth.

“Just defense and energy,” said Barnes, explaining the third-quarter turnaround. “You’ve got to be locked in for 48 minutes, you can’t pick and choose when you want to play defense. We got hit in the face (in the first half) and just played bad basketball.”

McLemore had 13 points for the Kings, who won for the first time at new Golden 1 Center. And the Kings hung on to the victory despite losing Cousins, who picked up two fouls in the game’s final minute and fouled out.

Andrew Wiggins scored 29 points for the Timberwolves, who are off to an 0-2 start under new coach Tom Thibodeau. Zach Levine had three 3-pointers and 21 points while Karl Anthony-Towns had 15 points and Gorgui Dieng had 14 points and 13 rebounds.

“The third quarter was a problem. A big problem,” Thibodeau said. “So we got to look at the film to see what the issues were. We’ve got to be tougher.”

A putback by Towns got Minnesota within 105-103. After regaining possession following a jump ball with 7.5 seconds left, Wiggins misfired on a jumper and Barnes corralled the rebound and made one of two free throws to end the game.

The Timberwolves have held large leads in each of their first two games, only to let each contest slip away in the second half.

“We can’t let that happen every single game,” Towns said. “We can’t be a great team out the gates and not finish well.”

Gay put the Kings ahead by two with a jumper and Ty Lawson connected on a corner 3 for a 105-100 lead with 1:10 remaining.

BIG QUARTER

Now in his fourth season, McLemore has suffered through some tough times, seeing his playing time continually decrease due in part to erratic shooting.

After being stripped twice late in Thursday’s game by Kawhi Leonard in a loss to San Antonio, McLemore delivered in the fourth quarter against Minnesota. He made two big 3-pointers and scored nine points in the fourth.

“He was very impressive,” Joerger said. “He had a tough game the other night and it didn’t break him. That’s what pro basketball is – there’s always going to be another night.”

TIP-INS

Timberwolves: Last season the Timberwolves beat the Kings in all four games and they were 4-3 in the previous seven games in Sacramento. Wiggins had 13 points and the Timberwolves shot 67 percent in leading 34-24 after one quarter.

Kings: Cousins picked up his first technical late in the second quarter following his objection to an obvious personal foul. … A Minnesota assistant last season, Bryan Gates is a Kings assistant coach. … San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Erik Armstead was among the sellout crowd.

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